Russian Dragoons

I missed my posting deadlines for the challenge over the past couple of weeks so I really pushed to get a number of figures finished and photographed in time for submission last Thursday. 

After maxing out on artillery I thought it was time to move on to the cavalry.  Here we have 40 Napoleonic Russian Dragoons, these are all 6mm Baccus figures and represent the four Dragoon regiments that made up the 3rd Dragoon Division at Montmirail

The four Regiments are Smolensk (Yellow facings), Kurland (Turquoise), Tver (Ultramarine) and Kinburn (Yellow).  I was really nervous about painting these as I've never painted horses in this scale.  In the end I used the same paints I use for 28mm but went slightly lighter, I think they turned out alright.

The biggest pain was painting the standards as they're all cast on.  I tried lots of different designs and in the end the one that worked the best consisted of 4 carefully placed green spots in each corner followed by random splots of light gold paint.

I also managed to complete a couple of units of skeletons for my Oldhammer project, I'll post these up in the next day or so.

Next up for the Ruskies will be 90 Cossacks.

WIP Pictures Dragoons and Skeleton Archers

Just a quick update tonight as I missed the posting deadline for the challenge last Thursday.  Work and family life meant I didn't get much painting done.  I've been busy over the past few nights and have the Russian Dragoons almost completed

These figures have the standards molded on so I need to paint these up, varnish the figures and get them based up.  I should manage this before my posting deadline this week.

I've also been working to find a way to paint whilst I'm away from home as this is slowing me down at the moment.  I planned to re-start a Warhammer 3rd edition or "Oldhammer" Undead project a few years ago but only managed to paint a couple of cavalry figures before I packed it all away for a second time.  Given that the skeletons are plastic and fairly straightforward to paint I decided to give this project another go.  The picture below shows the results

These are the original undead plastics which I've painted with the old citadel paints (from the eighties) and I'm quite pleased with the results. I'll get these based up over the next couple of nights and they should also be ready for submission on Thursday.  I'm confident that I can paint 10-12 infantry each week whilst I'm away from home so this should help to keep my points total ticking over whilst completing a project that I planned nearly thirty years ago.

I'll post a more detailed history and plan for the undead army over the weekend.

So the plan for February is to complete the Russian 6mm figures, start on the French infantry and paint up a skeleton infantry unit or two.

Russian Horse Artillery

I really struggled to get these figures finished, I think I've reached saturation point with artillery and tried to rush the basing. As is normally the case when I try to rush things, it turned into a complete disaster which I tried to rescue and then had to start again from scratch.  If it wasn't for the Curt's painting competition and the weekly deadline day I don't think I would have managed to complete these.  This is exactly the motivation I was hoping to get from the painting challenge.

 In the end, I decided to paint up some skirmish infantry and casualties to add some character to the wider bases I've decided to use for horse artillery.   Each base represents a battery of six cannons, I'll probably add some howitzers later in the year as batteries were sometimes deployed with 4 of these as well.  I think I've got enough artillery for the time being though.

This brings me to 140 points in the competition, quite a way from the 1,000 points I committed.  However, the cavalry and infantry I have primed will start to increase the points a lot quicker over the next few weeks. I'm also toying with the idea of resurrecting the 'oldhammer' project I started a few years back.

In the meantime, the dragoons will be finished shortly, they took longer than expected as I wanted to experiment with colours on the horses until I got a result I was happy with.  These will be ready for next week along with the cossacks and hopefully the hussars. 

This will complete the Russian forces for Montmirail and the other battles of the so called 'Six days of glory'. After that I can move on the French infantry 

For reference, I used the following paints on all the artillery figures (all Vallejo):

Cannon/Howitzers - Russian Green (894), Medium Olive (850), Olive Green (967)
Green Uniforms - Millitary Green (975), Flat Green (968), Olive Green (967)
Grey Trousers (Horse Artillery only) - Dark Grey (994), Neutral Grey (992)
Brass - Brass (801)
Metal Areas - Natural Steel (864)
Black - Black, Dark Grey (994)
White - Deck Tan (986)
Red - Flat Red (957)
Wood - Flat Brown (984)
Flesh - Medium Flesh (860) 

Russian Light Batteries

I completed the Russian light batteries this week and managed to get them submitted to the challenge just before my deadline, this brings me up to 99 points:

Once again I've gone with three models per battery as these usually consisted of 12 guns (8 x 6pdr cannons and 4 howitzers).  Four batteries have 2 cannon and 1 howitzer and one has 3 cannons as I had them spare so painted them up anyway.

I'm pleased with the way these turned out.

Unfortunately, Storm Rachel meant that I didn't get home from London until late on Wednesday so didn't manage to complete the horse batteries.  These should be finished today/tomorrow ready for next week's submission.

Next up is the cavalry, I only need Dragoons, Hussars and Cossacks for Montmirail so will try and get these completed over the next week or so.  I haven't painted any 6mm horses yet, so I'm not sure how long it will take to get a result I'm happy with.

I will try and post more WIP shots going forwards as I've now worked out how to use the camera on my iPhone.

First Points

I finally managed to submit my first photo's for the Analogue Challenge last week.  I've now got 54 points to my name and making good progress on my next submission.

I managed to complete the Russian heavy artillery batteries just before Christmas, it just took some time to get my camera from the back of the cupboard and take some reasonable photo's.  The result's are below:

I've based my Russian batteries up in units of three models each on 20mm x 30mm bases to give me some flexibility in how I use them in games.  I plan to use all three models (2 x 12pdr and 1 x 10lb howitzer) to represent a typical 12 gun heavy battery which consisted of 8 x 12pdrs and 4 x 10lb howitzers.  The Russians liked their artillery and I want them to look imposing during games.

I actually bought twice as many guns as I need for Montmirail as I misread the Nafziger orbats.  I painted them any way as I'll need them for the larger battles.

Close up shot below:

The next submission is due on Thursday and I should have 5 x 3 gun light batteries completed by then.  I textured the bases this morning at 5am before leaving for London, this means I can get on with painting them tomorrow when I get back.  I've also finished painting the horse batteries so will be trying to get these based up as well.

This will complete all the Russian artillery and infantry for Montmirail.  Next will be the cavalry (Dragoons, Hussars and Cossacks) after which I can start on the French infantry.

My plan is stick with 6mm until mid February and then switch to 28mm to make up the shortfall in points before the competition closes on the 20th March.  Although Ian over at The Blog With No Name is suggesting I stick with the little guys throughout.

Painting Challenge

Since 2014 has been such a low for painting I've decided to enter the The Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge this year.  I'm hoping that a bit of friendly competition and the desire to get my 6mm Napoleonic figures painted will act as an incentive to keep painting.  I've gone for 1,000pts in order to stretch myself.  I'll post up my initial plans early next week.

I've spent the last couple of weeks sticking strips of figures to lollipop sticks and undercoating them ready for the challenge.  First priority will be to complete the Russian artillery and cavalry before moving onto the French.

I've also got a few 28mm figures that I'd like to get done, so these will be mingled in with the 6mm over the next couple of months.

Work commitments through until this Friday have meant a slow start, however, I have managed to almost complete 50pts worth of artillery.  I ran out of time before I could add static grass and tufts to the bases,  WIP shots below, full details will be posted when I submit them to Curt.  I'm now in a hotel in London until Thursday so should get these done before we head off for our family tour around the country on Friday night.

French Guardsman vs Russian Jaeger

I'm travelling most of this week which will prevent me getting any painting done.  However, it does give me time in the hotels in the evenings to read through a number of books that I've had sitting around for a few weeks now.

I purchased the new Osprey book "French Guardsman vs Russian Jaeger"a few weeks ago and have just finished reading it. 

This book is one of a number in a new range called 'Combat' which compares the organisation, training and combat effectiveness of two historical foes, in this case the Jaeger and Young Guard between 1803 and 1815.

The book focuses on a number of regiments from each formation (1st, 2nd and 14th Voltigeur and the two Russian Lifeguard Jaeger regiments along with the 19th Jaeger Regiment) as the sources used by the author made it "..possible to form a much more detailed picture of their combat performance".

The first chapter after the introduction provides a comparison of the the two opposing units in sections sub-titled "“origins and combat role”, “enlistment and training”, “motivation, morale and logistics”, “leadership” and “weapons and tactics”.  This section also provide colour plates of a Russian Jaeger and French Voltegeur from both the front and the back.  This is immensely useful fro anyone who is painting figures for these units.

The rest of the book is given over to descriptions of three battles Krasnyi (17 November 1812); the fighting around Gudengossa (16 October 1813), south of Leipzig; and Craonne (7 March 1814).  These battles descriptions contain first hand accounts from both French and Russian sources (including privates) along with analysis of their performance in each battle.

The final chapter is an analysis and conclusions section from both the Russian and French perspectives along with "the Reckoning" where the fate of some of the soldiers referenced in the battle descriptions are revealed.  this final chapter is rounded off with a page on Unit organisations and a page summarising the orders of battle for three engagements.

The book comes in at 80-pages and has numerous maps and pictures.  I particularly like the split screen pictures that show a particular combat scene from the both sides perspectives.  I haven't seen this before in a book and I personally think it is very effective.  The text is very readable and brings these two unit types alive.

What I found most interesting for my 1814 project is how the "..decline of the Young Guard and the rise of the Russian Jaeger arm are starkly exposed".  The description of Craonne really highlights the gulf in prowess between the flexible veteran Jaegers and the poorly trained conscripts of the Young Guard. Something that I need to take account of when putting together orders of battle.

At 80 pages the book lacks real detail, nevertheless, a lengthy Bibliography is provided and the book serves as an excellent introduction to the latter years of the Napoleonic wars and these two formations.  At £9 (on Amazon, other retailing options are available) this book is great value and I heartily recommend it.

Russian Infantry Completed

After a marathon painting session on Thursday night I've managed to finish painting the last few Russian infantry figures that I need for Montmirail.  I've just finished highlighting the flock and grass tufts and so I give you the 10th Infantry Division:

I didn't have quite enough infantry strips to complete the last base, so rather than buying another pack I used some of the skirmishing figures that I had spare and created a unit in firing line.  I've also started to add a couple of casualty figures to the bases, especially the firing line:

And finally a couple of shots of the two completed infantry Corps:

Next up will be the artillery batteries that complete these Corps, I'm going to be struggling for painting time over the next two weeks so may not get much more done before Christmas.  I'm hoping a I can squeeze out a couple of artillery batteries though.

Now that I've completed all the infantry I can really see the attraction of 6mm, the figures look really impressive en masse and it's only taken me two months to complete them.  I'm hoping to get the artillery, cavalry and command bases completed between Christmas and the Vapnartak show in York on the 2nd February. This seems achievable given how quickly I've painted up the infantry.

Comments and suggestions are welcome as always.

I've listed out the paints I used on the infantry figures in case anyone is interested.

Vallejo Medium Flesh (860)
P3 Beast Hide followed by P3 Hammerfall Khaki for the greatcoats
Vallejo Deck Tan (986) for the white belts, straps, etc.
Black followed by a highlight of Vallejo Dark Grey (994) for the Kiwers, backpacks, etc.
Vallejo Bronze (998) for the Chinscales and sword handles.
Vallejo Flat Brown (984) for the Muskets.
Vallejo Model Air Gun followed by Vallejo Silver(997) for the musket barrels.
Vallejo Flat Red (957) for the red collars and cuffs
Vallejo Deep Green (970) for green collars and cuffs on the Jaegar.

Another Brigade Completed

I've only managed to get one more base completed over the past week as work is creeping into my weekends at the moment.  Nevertheless, I've still managed to get another base completed and I've also finished painting the figures I need for two more.

I'll use this base to represent a single Brigade from the 16th Division that was present at Montmirail and attached to XIth Corps. 

I've tried to take a close up shot with my camera to give some idea of the detail on these figures as I'm quite impressed with the amount Baccus manage to get on them.

And finally a shot of all the figures painted so far.  I should have all the remaining infantry painted over the next couple of nights and basing completed over the weekend.

Another Division

I've managed to complete another Division and now only have four more bases to finish in order to complete the Russian infantry for Montmirail.

Although progress has slowed I'm still managing to maintain the motivation to paint.  I've now painted close on 500 figures in less than two months.  This is close to the total number of 28mm figures I've painted in the last fifteen years.

My target now is to complete the last four bases before the Recon show in Pudsey on 7th December.  I've placed my order with Baccus for another batch of figures to keep me going through until the York show in February (mostly artillery and cavalry) so want these completed.

New bases:

Bases completed so far:

Thanks for all the comments and encouragement.

First Infantry Corps Completed

Another slow week in terms of painting, but, I've still managed to get the 18th Division based and I'm half way through the second base of the next Division.  I always get a 'buzz' from completing a unit which helps me start the next one.  What I'm finding with 6mm is that the speed of painting units means that 'buzz' is happening far more frequently that it does with 28mm.

If all goes to plan I should have another Division finished next weekend which means I'll have 3/4 of the Russian infantry I need for Montmirail.

Within a few weeks I have managed to paint enough figures for the whole of a Russian infantry Corps.  I'm now starting to see the mass effect that these figures give and can't wait to get the next Corps completed.  I'm also finding that my painting is speeding up as I'm not as concerned about the look of individual figures as I was when I started. 

Steady Progress

Despite heavy work commitments, I've made steady progress since my last post and have now based up two more brigades of infantry.  I have now completed the first of four infantry Divisons required for the two Corps under Sacken.  In between waiting for glue and ink to dry on these bases I have managed to finish the painting on enough figures to do three more bases over the weekend.  This will then give me enough bases for the whole of the XI Corps.  I still need to add a final layer of matt varnish to these so I'll do the flags once that is done, probably once I've got the whole of XI Corps based up.

I'm quite pleased at how quickly these units can grow, it's just a matter of finding a time efficient approach to basing and painting.

I'll get the other three brigades based over the weekend and then get some pictures posted of the whole Corps early next week.  At this rate I should have all of the Russian infantry for Montmirail completed by early December.

With three bases competed, I'm now starting to see the benefits of 6mm.  The figures are really starting to look good.  Once I have the whole Corps completed I'll set my camera up and get some decent photo's.

The longest journey begins with the smallest step

First off, thanks to Ian and Tamsin for your responses to the varnish question.  I just used Matt varnish rather than gloss then matt.  Also thanks to Doug whose comment on using lighter colours on 6mm.  When I looked at the figures from a reasonable distance they did just merge into a dark blob, so I spent some time adding fresh highlights to the greatcoats to make them lighter and stand out more.

I have also completed my first base over the past couple of evenings.  I decided to complete one base initially as I wanted to play with different colours, etc. until I got a result I was happy with.  I also learned that its not a good idea to place the strips so close that you can't get a brush between them to highlight the gravel or add flock.  I also added gravel to the entire base before I had glued the skirmishers on, this caused me a number of problems getting them to look right. In the end I did the best I could and then used more static grass than I planned to cover up the messy basework. I'll use less grass on the next base.

I initially went for a muddy brown winter effect on the groundwork and grass, however, this with the brown greatcoats just looked like a fifty shades of brown homage.  So in the end I went for a brighter effect which I'm much happier with. The grass was too green for my liking though so I drybrushed it with green ochre to give it a more autumnal/winter look.

So pictures of my first base completed below, I'll continue doing the bases one at a time for the moment until I'm completely happy with them and will add more pictures as each is completed. 

Once again, thanks for all the comments and tips.  I really do appreciate them.

6mm WIP

I've managed to complete my first 6mm figures over the past few nights and have posted a couple of WIP shots below.  These figures represent three 60mmx60mm bases or a Russian Division of six regiments (all single battalions by 1814) including two regiments of Jager.  I've painted the Jager with green cuffs, I'm quite certain they didn't have coloured cuffs in reality but this adds a bit of colour so I'm going to stick with it.

These have taken about 10 hours to get to this stage and I think I can reduce that now that I'm getting used top painting this scale.  I'm going to need twenty six regiments (or thirteen bases) in total for the two Russian Infantry Corps commanded by Sacken at Montmirail.

I've moved onto some skirmishing figures which will go at the front of each base, I should have these done over the next few nights.  I can then start basing them over the weekend.

Apologies for the quality of the photos, I did these quickly with my phone camera, appreciate any comments or suggestions:

6mm Napoleonic Russians

I've finally given in and realised that my limited painting time and gaming space just aren't compatible with 28mm for recreating Napoleon's 1814 campaign.  The reasons for this are explained on my Napoleonic blog (La Patrie en Danger) along with my initial plans for this project.

After a trip down to Castle Donnington at the weekend I now have a couple of packs of 6mm Russian Infantry in greatcoats from Baccus.  I'll get these painted over the next week or so and post some pictures along with my initial reactions to this size of figure.

I have to say that I am amazed at how much detail these little chaps have on them and I'm looking forward to painting them.